TRIESTE – More than 24,000 kilograms of refrigerant gas were seized at the Port of Venice by Italy’s Guardia di Finanza, in cooperation with the Customs and Monopolies Agency, during inspections on goods subject to environmental restrictions.
The operation involved two separate shipments containing around 1,400 cylinders of fluorinated gases, specifically R134A and R410A, with an estimated commercial value of €465,000. These substances are subject to strict import and environmental protection requirements under Regulation (EU) 2024/573.
According to the findings, the cylinders bore non-compliant labelling, lacking the mandatory elements required by the rules, and were allegedly introduced into EU territory without proper customs documentation. Investigations confirmed the extra-EU origin of the goods and quantified the evaded border duties. The product was placed under seizure and two individuals were reported to the judicial authority. The criminal proceedings are at the preliminary investigation stage and any liability will have to be established by a final ruling.
